With Nicole O'Dell

Today we have Nicole O'Dell with Magna and Making Waves. Hi Nicole! We're glad that you're here. What is your favorite memory from when you were a teenager?
Among my favorites were my weeks at summer camp and events with the church youth group. On Sunday nights, after church, many of the youth would come to my house to swim. We’d have pop and snacks—sometimes hot dogs. They usually stayed until pretty late. We always had a blast!
Cool! What did you enjoy doing the most as a teenager? Why?
I LOVED being on the swim team. Much of the Making Waves story (except for bad ending—oh, and the scholarship potential) came from my own swim team experience. I loved being in the water and bleach is still one of my favorite smells. 

I love swimming and the smell of bleach too. What was your most embarrassing moment as a teenager?
LOL One time I called my youth pastor a really bad name because I didn’t know what it meant. Advice: Find out the meaning of words that sound cool before you try them out on an authority figure!

lol, I've been lucky enough to not do that! What was your favorite midnight snack?
Macaroni and Cheese or Doritos dipped in sour cream. My friend, Jodi, and I used to try to make mac & cheese all the time but it always seemed like we were out of one of the ingredients and had to improvise—never quite right.

What would you do if you found a purple-polka dotted panda in your living room one morning?
Assume it was my husband in costume and try to pull the mask off his head.

What kind of books did you enjoy reading as a teenager?
I enjoyed mysteries like Trixie Belden, Nancy Drew, etc. I also devoured books like Frank Peretti’s, This Present Darkness. My mom and I had a membership to The Paperback Trading Co. It was cool because you could bring bags and bags of books and turn them in for credit toward other books. We did that often!

When did you first discover that you were a writer?
I won a contest in 4th grade by writing a book called The Girl on the Runaway Pogo Stick. After that, I was hooked!

Who is your favorite character in the book?
I love the main characters in both books. Molly, in Magna, is a lot like me—we share very similar circumstances and reactions. My time working in retail contributed to that storyline. Kate, in Making Waves, really tugs at my heartstrings, too. I feel her burden for helping her mom by earning a college scholarship.

I think the “choice” format of the books really draw me in to the characters. I know what it’s like to face those kinds of dilemmas and, even though these are stories, we all deal with battles of the mind just like Molly and Kate.


What was the hardest part of the book to write?
I always have a tough time writing my characters into the wrong choice. I don’t want them to walk that road—I know where it leads and want them to avoid the consequences. But…I can’t make their choices for them.

What is your favorite verse? Why?
Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

That’s really my life’s theme verse. I love the assurance that I didn’t start the process in me, and I’m not the one who’s going to finish it. It’s a beautiful promise that I claim for my kids, too. I can relax a little knowing that they are a work in progress and that the work WILL be completed in me and in them.

What advice would you give to today’s high school and college girls?
Don’t sacrifice long-term things like your reputation and your parent’s trust, for temporary things that will NEVER be as great as you think they will be.

Do you have another book coming out soon? Can you tell us a bit about it?
High Stakes and Essence of Lilly come out in the Spring of 2011. High Stakes deals with the issue of cheating in school, and the tough decision of confessing to a wrongdoing to clear a friend’s name. Essence of Lilly deals with physical intimacy among teens.

And here is the book trailer for Magna and Making Waves:



Readers, here is how you can find Nicole O'Dell:
www.nicoleodell.com
www.scenariosforgirls.com
www.nicoleodell.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/nicole_odell
www.facebook.com/nicoleodell

Nicole O'Dell is giving away a copy of Magna and Making Waves. To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment and check back on Sunday, May 9th to see if you've won. You can enter twice--once on each post in this spotlight. If you want to guarantee that you're notified if you win, then leave your email address in the comment.

Meet Nicole O'Dell

Nicole O’Dell and her husband Wil have six wonderful children, the most recent additions being triplets, born in August 2008. Nicole and Wil recently began a youth group at their church for grades 7-12 where Nicole focuses on the teaching, Bible study application, service outreach planning and evangelism focus for the group. She enjoys speaking at other churches, youth groups and parenting groups to offer insight into healthy, Godly navigation of those rough teen years. Over the years, Nicole has worked as a youth director, a Bible study leader for women and teens, a counselor at a crisis pregnancy center and was a veteran camp counselor for over a decade.

Back Cover Blurbs
Magna: Molly Jacobs isn’t sure what she should do: Should she follow through with stealing some clothes for her friends from Magna the trendy girls clothing store where she works? Or should she do what she knows is right, even if it means losing her friends? Girls ages 10 to 15 make the choice in this interactive story and see how the consequences change Molly's life. Includes a contract and prayer to remind the reader of the importance of making godly decisions.

Making Waves: Kate Walker joins the swim team and becomes obsessed with practice and making it through the championships with flying colors. With a scholarship on the line and pressure from everyone, what will Kate do when she’s faced with pressure from her teammates to take an illegal substance that will help her swim multiple events in their championship meet? Girls ages 10 to 15 make the choice in this interactive story and see how the consequences change Kate s life. Includes a contract and prayer to remind the reader of the importance of making godly decisions.


Readers, here is how you can find Nicole O'Dell:
www.nicoleodell.com
www.scenariosforgirls.com
www.nicoleodell.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/nicole_odell
www.facebook.com/nicoleodell

Nicole O'Dell is giving away a copy of Magna and Making Waves. To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment and check back on Sunday, May 9th to see if you've won. You can enter twice--once on each post in this spotlight. If you want to guarantee that you're notified if you win, then leave your email address in the comment.

Here is the book trailer for Magna and Making Waves:

With Vanessa Miller

What is your favorite memory from when you were a teenager?

Spending time with my father. He passed away when I was seventeen… I didn’t realize how special my time with him was until I didn’t have it anymore.

I love spending time with my dad, too. What did you enjoy doing the most as a teenager?

I loved to dance and hang out with my friends. I don’t know why, those were just the things that seemed the most fun to me.

What was your most embarrassing moment as a teenager?

When my grandmother caught me trying to skip school. My mother was out of town and I thought that was the perfect time to hang out at a park with my sister and one of my cousins. But my grandmother wasn’t going for that… let’s just say that was the first and last time I ever tried anything like that.

What was your favorite midnight snack?

Pizza. Still is, so let’s get to the next question because I’m on a diet right now. 

What would you do if you found a blue and orange polka dotted panda in your living room one morning?

Probably scream and then open the door so it could leave. Sorry, I don’t like pets, so I wouldn’t keep it.

What kind of books did you enjoy reading as a teenager?

I enjoyed mysteries and romances. As a matter of fact, I still enjoy reading those kind of books.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I’ve been writing since I was about nine years old. I started out writing poems, then short stories, stage plays and finally novels. I always knew that I would be a writer, but when I was a kid I had no idea how to accomplish my goal.

Who is your favorite character in Yesterday’s Promise?

I loved Melinda’s character because she was so complex. She was a preacher with issues of unforgiveness that stemmed from broken promises that had been made by her mother, ex-fiancé and her father. She was an interesting character study. I enjoyed watching as she resolved her issues and gave love a second chance.

What was the hardest part of Yesterday’s Promise to write?

Yesterday’s Promise deals with women in ministry. Since I know that this is a topic not everyone agrees on, I wanted to address the controversy but also find a way to some women believe they have every right to preach the gospel. I was very careful with those parts of the story because I wanted to make sure I told both sides of the story.

What is your favorite verse? Why?

I have been young and now I am old, but I have never seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread.

I was twenty six and a single mother when I gave my life to the Lord. I worried about not having enough to provide for my daughter, but when I read that scripture, I stopped worrying.

What advice would you give to today’s high school and college girls?

My advice is simply. Stay in school, don’t try to grow up too fast, but take time to enjoy the moment.

Do you have another book coming out soon? If so, can you tell us a bit about it?

I have (4) books releasing this year:

Yesterday’s Promise April 2010
Forgiven June 2010
A Love for Tomorrow September 2010
Long Time Coming November 2010

Readers, here is the book trailer for Yesterday's Promise:



Vanessa Miller is giving away a copy of Yesterday's Promise. To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment and check back on Sunday, April 11th to see if you've won. You can enter twice--once on each post in this spotlight. If you want to guarantee that you're notified if you win, then leave your email address in the comment.

Yesterday's Promise, by Vanessa Miller

Here is my review of Yesterday's Promise, a novel by Vanessa Miller. I enjoyed it very much, and I will definitely read it again.

Yesterday's Promise, by Vanessa Miller, is a heartwarming Christian Fiction novel.

As I read through Yesterday's Promise, I found myself drawn to the characters, and I became so absorbed in the book that I didn't even notice that an hour and a half had passed as I read it until I looked up at the clock. The storyline drew me in, and I found that I was cheering each of the individual characters on as they went through a tough part.

Melinda Johnson feels betrayed when her father retires and hands his position as Bishop of the Omega Christian Center to another, after promising to hand it to her. The fact that he broke his promise is made worse by the fact that the new Bishop that he appointed is Steven Marks, who is opposed to female pastors, and, as if that weren't enough to make Melinda not like him, he is also her ex-fiancé.
But Steven has a daughter, Brianna, that is still struggling with the death of her mother, much like Melinda did. Brianna becomes attached to Melinda, and in turn, Melinda loves being around the adorable little girl.

And as Melinda sees Steven more frequently, the long suppressed attraction between them springs to life again. But Melinda still firmly believes that she is called to preach, and Steven is still just as opposed to female pastors. Can they both set aside pains from the past and forgive each other? Can they give love a second chance in their lives? Or will their opposing positions keep them apart forever?

Yesterday's Promise is a wonderful novel that I would recommend to anyone who wanted a really good read. Vanessa Miller is a excellent writer, and any other books that I see that she has written, I am most certainly going to read them.

The Hidden Flame

On Monday, I gave you a rather long post, so this one is a bit shorter. ;) I hope that you've been enjoying reading a bit about these books! I know that I have enjoyed reading them and posting about them here.
Another book that I have read is The Hidden Flame, by Davis Bunn and Janette Oak. Let me give you the back cover blurb.

In first-century Judea, the followers of the Way have burgeoned into a vibrant, growing community that cannot be ignored.
Jerusalem is in turmoil as its religious leaders on one side, and their Roman rulers on the other, conspire to stamp out the fledgling Church. And Abigail, who thought she had finally found home and safety, is caught between the opposing forces.

Two suitors desire the lovely Abigail's hand in marriage. Ezra, a successful Hebrew merchant and widower with important connections among the Sanhedrin, is looking for a mother for his children. The Roman soldier Linux is fascinated by her winsome charm and possibly could offer the sanctuary---maybe even the love--- for which she yearns. But her hear has been captured by neither of these. Will her faith and courage survive a heartbreak beyond comprehension as the followers face a gathering storm of persecution they never could have foreseen?
A glimmer of hope beckons Abigail forward...

You may be like me, and after reading that, you think, 'I have got to read this book!' That is what I thought when I saw The Hidden Flame sitting on our library's new shelf. I got it and read it, and it was well worth spending an afternoon to read it. Janette Oke writes wonderful books, and this one is absolutely no exception, in fact, if anything, it is even better because Davis Bunn was her partner in writing it.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Hidden Flame, and I think that others would love it too. This is a good book to curl up with on a rainy afternoon.

Gingham Mountain

One book that I just finished reading is Gingham Mountain, by Mary Connealy. It is the third book in the Lassoed in Texas series. Books one and two are: Petticoat Ranch and Calico Canyon. Here is the back cover blurb for Gingham Mountain, and I'll tell you some of my favorite part in the book. But not all of it. All I'm going to say is that it is very funny.


A young woman's need to protect.
A cowboy's need to provide.
A galloping ride headed for a love-hate relationship.

When Hannah Cartwright meets Grant, a disreputable-looking cowboy, she's determined to keep him from exploiting two more orphans. When she gets the job as schoolmarm, she resolves to keep Grant's adopted children in school to minimize their time spent in hard labor on his ranch. Will she succeed in her plans or lose her heart-- and the children--to a man she despises?
Grant already has a Texas ranch full of orphans he's rescued, but still he's determined to take on the two brought in by the orphan train. Can he wrangle his growing brood while resisting his attraction to the meddlesome Hannah and keeping clear of Prudence, a designing dressmaker?
When a couple of con artists discover oil on Grant's land, they'll go to any length to steal his ranch, including forcing him into marriage. Will their plans succeed before the secret of oil spills out?

And here is the part that I love best...

Libby wiggled her finger back and forth and tickled him. With a little laugh he jerked away, surprised to find out that he was ticklish. She smiled up at him and reached her twitching finger toward him again.
Grant jumped back and glanced up to see all of his kids with their eyes focused straight at him.
"You're ticklish." Benny said.
"Pa's ticklish." Sadie's dark eyes almost caught fire as she came toward him, her fingers raised in front of her, wriggling around like ten worms.

Now you have to read the book so that little voice will quit nagging you to find out what happens next. ;) Gingham Mountain is a wonderful book, and I laughed quite often as I read through it.

Out With the In Crowd

Hey everyone! Earlier this week, I said that I'd get this posted. It's a little later in the day then I'd planned on, but I'm getting it up for you all, just like I said that I would. Here you go!


Out With the In Crowd is a excellent teen book written by Stephanie Morrill.


Skylar Hoyt has turned her former partying life around. But with a pregnant younger sister that isn't doing anything and not sure whether to keep the baby or not, her mom moving out of the house and wanting her two daughters to move to Hawaii with her, her father wanting her to stay with him, and her boyfriend wanting more of her already full time, she finds that she feels like she can't win. And as her sister's due date gets closer, Skylar gets busier and more confused. Should she go to Hawaii with her mom or stay with her dad? Will Abbie keep the baby? What will happen to the new life that she is trying to live?


You'll be caught up from the first page to the last as you join Skylar as she works through problems that teens meet everyday.

Out With the In Crowd is an inspiring teen book, the second of three books in the Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt series. Me, Just Different, is the first book, and the third book in the series, So Over It, comes out July of 2010.

This series is one that I would greatly recommend to any teenager, older or younger. Stephanie Morrill does a great job in writing teen books, and Out With the In Crowd is no exception.

Once Upon a Family

One book I just read is Once Upon a Family, by Margaret Daley, who blogs at www.margaretdaley.com. Here's the back cover blurb from Once Upon a Family...

He knew all about angry teen boys-he'd been one himself.

As the local high school principal, Peter Stone knew troubled student Sean Williams needed his expert assistance. And as a Christian, Peter knew God was leading him to help. Yet it was the boy's mother who captured Peter's notice.

Laura, a widow caring for her four children and ailing aunt, had no time for romance or religion. Somehow, despite her protests, Laura found herself and her brood frequent visitors to Peter's ranch and the church he attended.
Soon it seemed her family was meant to complete Peter's life.


So are you hooked yet? Just reading that little bit from the back caught me, and I knew that I had to read Once Upon a Family, or I would wonder what happened until I did. And I am so glad that I did read it. It was well worth sneaking the time to read and enjoy it. This is another wonderful book from Margaret Daley that I would recommend to anyone that wanted a good read.

Don't forget that we have a book giveaway with Janice Thompson and Fools Rush In going on! You can enter the giveaway by commenting on the posts meet Janice Thompson and with Janice Thompson and leaving your email address in the comment. You can enter twice, once on each post, and double your chances of winning Fools Rush In. I'll post the winners on February 14, so check back then to see if you won!

Hearts in Harmony

Hey guys! I hope your week hasn't been quite as hectic as mine has! Seeing my cousins :), cleaning my room so that my sister, Abby, and I can move our beds and dressers around and paint...
But even though I am so busy, I still sneak a couple of minutes here and there to read a good book.

Right now I am in the middle of reading Hearts in Harmony, by Gail Sattler, who blogs at www.gailsattler.com. Hearts in Harmony is one of the Men of Praise series, all of which are written by Gail. I must say that if you haven't read Hearts in Harmony, it is a very cool book in a very cool series. Those of us that have read Hearts in Harmony or another in the series know how neat they are. Here's the back cover blurb from Hearts in Harmony...

Lift up your voice!
Playing guitar for his church's worship team was not going as well as Adrian Braithwaite expected. Which was why he was thrilled to find a talented keyboardist in new church member Celeste Hackett.

But there was more to the lovely Celeste than met the eye—the skill that Adrian so valued came from her former career in a rock band. And though the pastor welcomed her, a threat from Celeste's past could destroy what she'd worked so hard to build, unless her musical partner could become her partner for life.

Sounds awesome, doesn't it? That's what I first thought when I read the back of it. So now I'm reading it. If you haven't read it already, this is one book that I'd recommend to anyone.

Be sure to check back later! Janice Thompson will be here with an interview and will be giving away a copy of her book, Fools Rush In. You can check out her blog at www.janiceathompson.com

Have fun!